Article of furniture



A. ROHAUT ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Filed May 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 1F L W u N, W H ww w uhm.n w 9. l I

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A. ROHAUT Feb. 14, 1933.

ARTI CLE OF FURNI TURE I Filed May 7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m m 3w m. t b mm a m e 0. m a W W W m 9 m /on E wm mm k km \W m u 4 mm o li m K m 9 um Q 8 mm \8, M\ W} \M.\

Patented Feb. 14, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT orrica ALBERT BOHAUT, OF ALFRED, MAINE ARTICLE OF FURNITURE Application filed May 7,

dividual compartments so constructed and arranged as to provide a maximum amount of storage space for a given base area. Another object of the invention is to provide an article of this nature having compartments of various sizes and shapes so arranged that all are accessible substantially from the front of the article. Other objects of the invention will appear from the following description and the accompanying claim. In the drawl5 ings:-

Figure 1 is a front elevation of an article of furniture embodying the improved features, for purposes of illustration only.

Figure 2 is an end view of the same ar- 3G ticle as it appears from the right of Figure 1. i t

Figure 3 is a vertical cross-section thereof on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4. is a horizontal plan section on the line of Figure 1, and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary vertical section on the line 55 of Figure 2 showing the construction of one of the end compartments, it being understood that the opposite one is substantially similar.

Although the improvements are heren shown as embodied in a chiifonier, they may apply equally as well to other articles; of furniture, for example, a china closet. If desired for that purpose, glass panels may be used in place of wood in the closure members and the drawers will aflord convenient storage space for linen.

Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, 1 have shown a construction compris ng a se ries of compartments supported by a base frame 1, which may consist of several separate units arranged in rectangular form.

Upwardly extending end compartments 2 and 3; of substantially the transverse width of the frame, are provided at each end thereof. The space intermediate the end com partments is utilized for an upper storage chamber 4.- and a series of drawers 5.

The end compartment 2 may be equipped 1931. Serial No. 535,667.

with shelves 6 to receive small articles. The compartment 3 may be without shelves to be used as a wardrobe for suits and coats. The chamber 4 may be provided with adjustable shelves 7 adapted to receive hats or similar articles of apparel. I

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 5, the base frame 1, which is rectangular in form, comprising side and end members may be supported in the usual way by a series of caster containing legs 8. An angle shaped finishing strip 9 extends along the frontof the frame 1 cooperating with similar end strips 10 to provide simple construction and yet neat appearance at that portion of the cabinet. I prefer to employ a sub-base frame 11, the front and end members of which are narrower in order to meet the inner edge of the horizontal flange on the finishing strips 9 and 10. This also provides a surface which is flush with the upper faces of the strips.

A series of upright frame members 12, 13 and 14 suitably mounted upon the frame 1 cooperate with a top frame 15, of substantially the same proportions as the base frame 1, to complete the frame structure of the. cabinet. The top frame is preferably provided with intermediate cross members 16 to add rigidity to that portion thereof and is adapted to receive and support the cabinet top member 17 which may consist of several individual boards as shown.

The upright frame members 12 and 13, already mentioned, are arranged and designed to serve also as door frames for compartments 2 and 3. Doors 18 are shown as hinged at 19 to the upright members 13. It should be noted that the doors open at or near the front of the cabinet and swing toward the back thereof as shown by dotted lines in Figure 1. The uprights are rabbeted at 20 to provide a door jamb and are therefore designed to perform the double function of support and door frame.

The members 13 may also be rabbeted to receive the back panel 21 of the cabinet as clearly shown in Figure 4. Narrow panels 22, suitably attached to members 12 and 13, serve to close the spaces between the upper edges of the doors 18 and the top 17. These 1 panels may be provided with strips 23 on their inner surfaces to form a door sto A pair of long, narrow panels 24 are suitably supported by the uprights 12 and 14, extending from the base frame 11 to the top 17, thereby completing the outside closure means for compartments 2 and 3.

Upright transverse partitions 25 serve to separate the compartments 2 and 3 from the drawers and compartment 4 above referred to. These partitions are attached at their front edges, to the uprights 14 and at the rear edges thereof to the back panel 21 by means of backing strips 26 suitably secured to all three members. That portion of their surfaces adjacent the compartment 4 is provided with bracket members 27 for supporting the shelves 7 therein.

The closure means for the compartment 4 comprises a vertically slidable panel 28 mounted in rabbeted guideways 29 formed in the uprights 14 and is held in position by narrow guide strips 30 secured to the uprights in any suitable manner. Backing strips 31 provided at the upper and lower inner edges of the slidable panel 28 cooperate with the flanges on the uprights 14: to form the outline of the opening to compartment at. Any common type of springpressed plunger 32 may be mounted in the lower edge of the panel 28, adapted to cooperate with a socket (not shown) supported by the lower strip 31, to retain the panel in closed position as shown in Figure 1. A handle 33 is provided at the upper edge of the panel 28 to facilitate operation thereof.

It will be clear, that by withdrawing the plunger 32 from its socket, the panel 28 may then be lowered to a position adjacent the strip 9 and in front of the drawers 5 thereby affording access to compartment 4.

A floor ortion 34 ad acent the sub-base 11 occupies the longitudinal space between the doors 18 and transversely substantially the width of the sub-base. This construction not only forms a support for the lower drawer 5, but also provides a bottom or floor, for compartments 2 and 3.

A series of drawer supporting shelves 35 are supported by the partitions 25, preferably by a tongue and groove construction as shown in Figure 5. Another similar shelflike member 36 separates the drawer section from the compartment 4 and serves as a floor for the latter. A finishing strip 37 is applied lengthwise of the floor 36 adjacent the strip 31.

The construction herein disclosed provides a maximum amount of individual storage compartments of different shapes and styles for a given base area. A minimum amount of labor and material are required by the foregoing method of assemblyand a further characterizing feature of the invention resides in the balanced arrangement of frame and compartments. The vertically slidable panel 28 arranged for movement in front of the drawers to provide access to the compartment 4 permits easy access to the entire depth of the compartment.

What I claim is:--

An article of furniture comprising spaced vertical frame members and top and bottom frames cooperatively associated therewith to define opposite end frames; a rear wall, front paneling, and transverse partitions secured to said frame members to define opposite end compartments, swinging doors for the opposite end compartments hinged respectivey to rear vertical frame members, a horizontal dividing partition for the central compartment fixedly mounted between the transverse pattitions which define the opposite end compartments, and a plurality of drawers and slidable mountings therefor in the central compartment below said dividing partition.

Signed by me at Sanford, Maine, this 18th day of April, A. D. 1981.

ALBERT ROHAUT. 

